Endorsements

Question 1

What endorsements can a student pilot recieve?

Which endorsements are mandatory?

Answer 1

Required:

1. Pre-solo aeronautical knowledge: 61.87(b)

• Logbook endorsement requires make and model.
• The pre-solo knowledge (written) test must address the student pilot’s knowledge of:
  
  • Applicable sections of parts 61 and 91 of this chapter (i.e. priviledges & limitations of their endorsement to solo: they must be the sole occupant);
  • Airspace rules and procedures for the airport where the ssolo flight will be performed; and
  • Flight characteristics and operational limitations for the make and model of aircraft to be flown.
• The studen’t authorized instructor must:
  
  • Administer the test; and
  • At the conclusion of the test, review all incorrect answers with the student before authorizing that student to conduct a solo flight.

2. Pre-solo flight training: 61.87(c)

• Logbook endorsement requires make and model.
• The student must demonstrate satisfactory proficiency and safety of the maneuvers and procedures approperiate to the make and model of aircraft to be flown, including emergency procedures and systems (to instructor’s standards).

3. Solo flight (each additional 90-day period): 61.87(p)

• Logbook and Student Pilot Certificate endorsements requires make and model.
• Logbook endorsement is valid for 90 days; Student Pilot Certificate endorsement does not expire
• Without further training, the student pilot cannot:
  
  • Make a solo flight and landing at any location other than the airport of origination; or
  • Fly more than 25 nautical miles from the airport from where the flight originated.

4. Initial solo cross-country flight: 61.93(c)(1)

• Logbook endorsement requires make and model; Student Pilot Certificate endorsement requires category.
• Required before the student conducts any solo flight beyond 25 nautical miles
• This is a one-time endorsement for each category of aircraft on the student pilot certificate, and each make and model in the logbook.
• This is only a “privilege” endorsement. It indicated that the instructor believes the student is able to safely perform a X/C solo flight. It does not let you perform this ability: see next endorsement.

5. Solo cross-country flight: 61.93(c)(2)

• Logbook endorsement requires make and model.
• Calendar date specific (same day)
• Does not have to be given by the primary instructor
• This endorsement states that the studen’t preflight planning and preparation is correct and that the student is prepared to make the flight safely under the known conditions.
• This endorsement must be repeated for each X/C flight.

Optional:

6. Pre-solo flight training at night: 61.87(c) & 61.87(o)

• Logbook endorsement requires make and model.
• Valid for 90 days
• The student must have recieved
  
  • Flight training at night on night flight procedures that includes takeoffs, approaches, landings, and go-arounds at night at the airport where the solo flight will be conducted.
  • Navigation training at night in the vicinity of the airport where the solo flight will be conducted.

7. Solo takeoffs and landings at another airport within 25 nautical miles: 61.93(b)(1)

• The student must have received flight training in both directions over the route, entering and exiting the traffic pattern, and takeoffs and landings at the other airport.
• The purpose of the flight is to practice takeoffs and landings at the other airport.

8. Repeated solo cross-country flights not more than 50 nautical miles from the point of departure: 61.93(b)(2)

• The student must have recieved:
  
  • Flight training in both directions over the route, including, entering, and exiting the traffic patterns, takeoffs, and landings at the airport to be used; and
  • An initial solo cross country flight endorsement.
• Separate solo cross-country flight endorsements are not required.

9. Solo flight in Class B airspace: 61.95(a)

• Valid for 90 days
• Student can fly within Class B airspace, but not land at the airport.
• The student must have received both ground and flight training from an authorized instructor in that Class B airspace area.

10. Solo flight to, from, or at an airport located in Class B airspace: 61.95(a) & 91.131(b)(1)

• Valid for 90 days
• The student must have recieved both ground and flight training from an authorized instructor at the Class B airspace area.

Question 2

What aeronautical experience is required by 14 CFR 61.109(b)?

Answer 2

Private Pilot Aeronautical Experience (AMEL): 61.109(b)

(b) 40 hours of flight time, 20 hours with an authorized instructor, and 10 hours of solo that includes at least:
(1) 3 hours of X/C flight training in a multiengine airplane
(2) 3 hours of night flight training in a multiengine airplane that includes:
(i) One X/C flight > 100 NM
(ii) 10 takeoffs and landings to a full stop
(3) 3 hours of instrument flight training in a multiengine airplane
(4) 3 hours practical test prep with an instructor in a multiengine airplane within 2 calendar months
(5) 10 hours of solo flight time in an airplane that includes:
(i) 5 hours of solo X/C time
(ii) One solo X/C ≥ 150 NM, with full-stop landings at 3 points, and one segment > 50 NM
(iii) 3 takeoffs and 3 landings to a full stop at an airport with an operating control tower

Note: (2) and (3) time can not be overlapped.

Question 3

What aeronautical experience is required by 14 CFR 61.129(b)?

Answer 3

Commercial Pilot Aeronautical Experience (AMEL): 61.129(b)

(b) 250 hours of flight time that consists of at least:
(1) 100 hours in powered aircraft
- 50 hours in airplanes
(2) 100 hours PIC that includes:
(i) 50 hours in airplanes
(ii) 50 hours X/C
- 10 hours must be in airplanes
(3) 20 hours of training in 61.127(b)(2) that includes:
(i) 10 hours of instrument training using a view-limiting device
- 4 hours must be in a multiengine airplane
(ii) 10 hours of training in a complex or turbine-powered multiengine airplane
(iii) One 2-hour day X/C flight in a multiengine airplane > 100 NM
(iv) One 2-hour night X/C flight in a multiengine airplane > 100 NM
(v) 3 hours practical test prep with an instructor in a multiengine airplane within 2 calendar months
(4) 10 hours solo in a multiengine airplane or 10 hours performing PIC duties with an instructor in a multiengine airplane that includes:
(i) One X/C flight ≥ 300 NM with landings at 3 points, one of which is ≥ 250 NM from the departure point
(ii) 5 hours night VFR with 10 takeoffs and 10 landings at an airport with an operating control tower.

Note: 61.129(b)(4) states that it may be credited towards 61.129(b)(2). However, this flight time cannot be logged as PIC time unless the applicant is flying solo or is rated in the airplane while with an authorized instructor. In the remarks column, the flight instructor should record “PIC training per 61.129(b)(4)”.

Question 4

In order to solo, my student must be able to . . .

Answer 4

1. Make competent go/no-go decisions for every flight.
2. Determine the location of all other traffic while in the pattern.
3. Establish and maintain a stabilized approach.
4. Determine wind direction and make proper rudder/aileron inputs.
5. Manage the aircraft’s energy so landings occur at the touchdown point.
6. Land with and then maintain the proper pitch attitude.
7. Keep the longitudinal ais parallel to and over the runway centerline.
8. Keep the centerline between the main wheels throughout all takeoffs and landings.
9. Respond correctly and positively to any abnormality or emergency.
10. Communicate properly and effectively with other traffic or ATC.

If my student cannot perform these functions without any guidance or assistance from me, he or she is not yet ready for solo.

When I have determined that my student training and written test are complete and documented and meet the standards for solo and that I have completed the required logbook entries required for solo and signed the student pilot certificate, then my student can solo.

Question 5

When is the instructor required to sign the logbook of your student?

Answer 5

1. When training is toward issuance of a certificate or rating.
2. When trainting is toward recency.

Question 6

When is a written required?

Answer 6

1. Changing certification
2. Non-powered to powered

Question 7

What records must a CFI keep?

Answer 7

61.189

(a) A flight instructor must sign the logbook of each person to whom that instructor has given flight training or ground training.
(b) A flight instructor must maintain a record in a logbook or a separate document that contains the following:

1. The name of each person whose logbook or student pilot certificate that instructor has endorsed for solo flight privileges, and the date of the endorsement; and
2. The name of each person that instructor has endorsed for a knowledge test or practical test, and the record shall also indicate the kind of test, the date, and the results.

(c) Each flight instructor must retain the records required by this section for at least three years.